tow vehicle & TT weight

1000 pounds of extra stuff is not a lot. The average RVer adds 1200 pounds over manufacturer dry weights, including RV options and mandatory options.

Payload will be one problem. Check out what your vehicle has as equipped by locating this sticker by opening your driver's door.



That has to support your family, any cargo inside the Armada, and trailer tongue weight.

Next, you mentioned buying a receiver. You may not have the big tow package which means lower tow rating. Check your owners manual and possibly the winder sticker to know if you have it.

There are books on all the hings you can, and should get. Start browsing the [url-http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/listings/forum/28.cfm]Beginning RVing area. Search for topics you are wondering about, like generators, equalizer, etc.

RVcrazy wrote:
The Armada has a pretty short wheelbase. I don't think you will be happy with such a long trailer. Go to the scales with everything and everyone you intend to put in the Armada and a full gas tank. Check the rear axle rating. Add the weight of the Equalizer. Do the math. I expect that you will be over the ratings with that trailer. We own an Armada abd it is only 2 of us. We have determined that it is best to stay under 600lbs dry hitch. 15% would put you at the 910. We believe in a safety margin.

We no longer pull our 29' Rockwood with the Armada. The short wheelbase was an issue, though the engine and transmission were more than adequate. If I had to do it all over again I would go with a shorter trailer with less tongue weight; maybe then auto air shocks wouldn't have failed...and THAT was darned expensive. It was pretty stressful driving in the mountains, but when unhitched, the 4X4 Armada was a great vehicle to have for exploring. I do miss that aspect of it.

I own the west coast version of the 2910 which is a bit lighter tongue wt. at 640 and UVW of 5530. I pull it with an Infiniti '04 QX56 with nearly identical specs to your Armada.

Details: Class IV installed, WDH, Sway Cntrl, auto-leveling on back axle, and have no problems at all, even with a full load of water.

I don't forget it is there like I would with my neighbor's long-bed diesel, but I love how it tows. I may install a 2nd sway control, as the winds on OR and WA coast are sometimes a bit stressful, but otherwise a good experience.

The Armada has a pretty short wheelbase. I don't think you will be happy with such a long trailer. Go to the scales with everything and everyone you intend to put in the Armada and a full gas tank. Check the rear axle rating. Add the weight of the Equalizer. Do the math. I expect that you will be over the ratings with that trailer. We own an Armada abd it is only 2 of us. We have determined that it is best to stay under 600lbs dry hitch. 15% would put you at the 910. We believe in a safety margin.

Should be a good match. Load as much as possible in the TT instead of the Armada.

Equal-i-zer 4-pt, Reese Strait Line, or BlueOx SwayPro are all good hitches in the $500 price range.

You'll also need a brake controller. I recommend the Tekonsha Prodigy P2 or P3.

Honda or Yamaha invertor generators are the best. Wisesales.com has good prices. If you want AC, get two 2kw generators and a parallel kit. Otherwise, one 2kw will do fine.

+1 for the Equalizer hitch.

That truck will pull that TT "ok." You will feel like you're working the whole time driving though. It will not be a stressful experience, but it will be tiring.

mangchibike wrote:
I'm planning to get rv(tt) life and would need some of your experience opinion.

Tow vehicle
2013 nissan amarda SL 4WD
Dry wight: 5600 GVWR: 7150 CVWR: 15100 MAX TOW: 9000 MAX TONGUE: 910

T.T
2013 Keystone Passport 2910BH
Shipping weight: 5354 Carrying capacity: 1846 Hitch: 725

1. Am i safe to tow? and should i buy class IV hitch from nissan dealer or T.T dealer?
2. Any additional tow item i need like sway control, equillizer?
3. I'm planning to dry camp would need generator, which one should i buy, honda generator (if it is what size)or spcially made for R.V generator (less noise,, i heard and where i can get it)?
Thank you in advance

The trailer has a heavy tongue as shipped. If you can load the trailer while not adding much more tongue weight, you're golden.

Assuming you add 1,00lbs of stuff in the trailer (thats a LOT of stuff) you'll be at 6300lbs and your tongue should not be less than 630lbs. Starting out with a 725lb tongue, I again think you're in good shape.

I would have a hard time choosing an aftermarket hitch if there is one designed and specially fitted to your SUV. If its not specially fitted, then save money and buy aftermarket.

You will absolutely need a WDH. Many like the E2 Equalizer, I sure do!

Honda generators cannot be beat. Yamaha is a close second. And there are many others if money is tight, but you'll have a little more noise and power many not be as "clean".

Definity need a 10000 lb hitch. You are definitly at max capacity with that rig. If you dont tow much or far you might be alright if you dont load up the trailer too much. If you plan on lots of towing, you might consider a little bigger tv or a little smaller trailer.

we camp without hookups 70 % here in oregon
we have a group of friends that prefer that type of camping
we have evolved over the last decade.
in general :
we do not use generators .
we have very good battery systems.
we prefer quiet .
all of us have diesel pickups from the big three
all of us have scaled down our trailer size
in oregon there are excellent opportunities to camp on public lands .
we also use forest service , blm, and nps sites .
the places we camp often involve the last few miles down a gravel road .
our group has grown from 3 regulars to about a dozen who alternate with our group.
although i like the nissan and toyota vehicles they are a little less tow rig than what i have found to be adequate for our 21T trailer ; gvw 7200 # , empty weight 5300#.
we carry in our own firewood , extra water , heavy steel framed Quik-Shade, bbq propane tank , extra cases of soda , and so forth .
we like to carry more weight in our tow rig than our trailer .
we will ford a small gulley or a small stream on occasion .
we will go down forest service roads and have to back up to turn around .
29 foot trailer presents difficulties for these maneuvers .
the absolute Best camping we do is without hookups .